A Forest Tale

Glorious weather, great company - and some gorgeous birds.........   all adds up to a wonderful day in and around the forests and rivers of North Yorkshire with Yorkshire Coast Nature.

Starting at the raptor viewpoint - and my first self found Goshawk!!   record shot only of one of the four or five that we saw but who cares.   Seeing one battle with a Sparrowhawk, Buzzards enjoying the thermals and the sun on ones back..........  worth the early (well for me) morning start.

Next stop and another 'viewpoint' and Whooper Swans flying over, Wagtail on the river.

We walked though the forest with a target of Great Grey Shrike but despite best efforts it wasn't to be found - maybe a few days of good weather had made the decision to fly north, or maybe just hiding??   HOWEVER we did have Peacock, Brimstone and other Flutter-bys and still only March!!

Lunch stop was in the forest, with Tree Creeper creeping and Chiff Chaff  - well you know what they sound like!!  Finally a walk to the meadow and looking out over Ellerburn - with a quick (joke!!) stop with Crossbills!!!!!  So close and so noisy - amazing to actually hear them biting into the pine cones!!!   We did find a lizard enjoying the weather, violets and wonderful views over the valley - but no Adders - for which I cannot say I am sorry!!

The peace of the forest, the amazing views and a glow from a day out in the sun....

A great day!!

Snowdrops and Fairies

Lovely few hours at Burton Agnes Hall today, ostensibly to take pics of the snowdrops but was enchanted with the fairy houses..... and even a fairy playground - love it!!

    

A Winter Wonderland

It was back to the land of Moomins this January!!  I had really enjoyed my week in last April and wanted to see the real winter wonderland that is northern Finland - plus the possibility of the northern lights!  I may not be skiing any longer but I do miss my real snow so a couple of weeks ago saw me setting of to Kuusamo with a suitcase loaded with thermals, gloves, snow boots and of course camera gear....

As last time it was a joy to arrive at Kuusamo airport - Santa's airport - but no sign of the star himself so I assume he is sitting on a beach recovering somewhere in the Caribbean - a well deserved rest!   Joining the rest of the gang we headed to Oivangin lomakartono comfortable log cabin accommodation, located in Narnia....

The trip (with www.finnature.com) included two full days at the Golden Eagle hide providing great views of Siberian Jay, Siberian and Willow Tit, Eurasian Jay, and Black, Grey-headed and Great-spotted Woodpeckers whilst waiting for the Eagles to arrive - which they did!

    
A visit to the Käylä cascade gave the opportunity to photograph Dippers against the snow - still dipping though ice surrounded the river.  However, before we arrived there was the excitement of a mobile road block in the shape of a Reindeer - ambling across the road, scrambling down the bank at the side and then deciding we may have food so coming around the van to investigate.   

In the afternoon we visited the Kuntivaara fell,  a hair-raising snow mobile ride to the top where photographing (badly) trees capped with snow vied with the delights of sausages cooked over an open fire in a snug mountain hut.

 Our final full day started with a visit to a Siberian jay feeder, setting the scene scattering seed and enjoyed watching them approach, balance on snow covered branches and even our guides hand.  Such a difference to the more hesitant approach of last Spring.

We then set of to the amazing, wonderful, astounding and all those other words that come to mind in an effort to describe the beauty and peace that is Riisitunturi National Park.  A slow walk though the snow laden trees, spotting shapes and exclaiming at the landscapes that unfolded at each corner to arrive at the summit with views over the forest and beyond.   Waiting for the sun to set .......

After a night hoping and chasing for a cloudless sky unfortunately the northern lights were hidden from view (unlike in Scotland!!) but that just means I have to go back!!

Our very last trip was to the Kitkajoku river, I didn't make it down to the river (discretion was greater than valour) but enjoyed the view from on high before heading back to our lodge for lunch and on to the airport.

It was a great week - shame about the Aurora but that is nature for you - the snow capped trees were amazing - I just need to hone my skills on landscape photography especially when snow is involved - fortunately my phone camera knew better!!

Thanks to Finnature for orgnanising- Jarmo for good guiding  - and to Heikki and Tuula for their welcome and   great food - I really really do want the recipe for that smoked salmon soup!!

And really finally - you know you are not in Flamborough when there are seven of you warm and snug in the van and you have to use an ice scraper to clear the windows on the inside.......  and this is filling the tank at the petrol station......